RobertR.Eckert

Robert R. Eckert, Age 93, of Stuart, FL passed away on January 16, 2014 peacefully at home. Bob was born March 15, 1920 in Binghamton, NY, son of Clarence and Agnes Eckert. He was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Geane Martin Eckert. Bob served as an Ensign with the US Navy during WWII, and graduated from Yale University in 1946. Primarily living in the Binghamton, New York area, Bob was a newspaper executive for independent newspapers as well as Gannett Co. newspapers (including the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin), the International Herald Tribune in Paris, and the Baltimore News American. After his retirement, he returned to his lifetime passion of theater, becoming an associate producer of "The Summer of '42" off Broadway. Following that endeavor, he invested in several Broadway productions, including the Tony award winning "Memphis". Bob's greatest joy was supporting young artists starting careers in theater with special support for StarStruck Theater in Stuart, FL and the Endicott Performing Arts Center in Endicott, NY (which named their theater after Robert Eckert). His latest investment was in Santino DeAngelo's musical "Another Happy Ending". He had a great love of card games, particularly gin. We will miss his "calm" demeanor at the table and his graciousness in victory or defeat. Bob is survived by his children and their spouses Kathleen (Eckert) Brown and her husband Gary of Yuma, AZ, John M. Eckert and his wife Carolyn of Vernon, CT and David R. Eckert and his wife Julie Feidner of Ellington, CT. He leaves grandchildren, Kendra Eckert and husband Clint Hogan of Melbourne, Australia, Kirin Eckert and Andrew White of Cheshire, CT, Edward Brown and Christopher Brown of Tempe, AZ, Robert E. Eckert of Ellington, CT, Geoffrey Eckert of Vernon, CT and great grandson, Brennan Michael White. He also leaves his longtime friend and companion Joan Zayac. A memorial celebration of Bob Eckert's life will take place at Miles Grant Country Club on Tuesday, January 21 at 11:00 a.m. with a memorial service in Binghamton, NY later in the year at the family's convenience. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to the EPAC Robert Eckert Scholarship Fund, 102 Washington Ave., Endicott, NY 13760

Published in Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin from Jan. 19 to Jan. 21, 2014

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